Communication Control System for Drone Takeoff and Landing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems for flying objects, such as drones, experience interruptions during takeoff and landing due to inadequate consideration of radio wave interference and quality changes, leading to communication disruptions during handover processing between base stations.

Innovation Solution

A communication control system that manages radio maps indicating radio quality at various altitudes and positions, allowing for the selection of an optimal base station and adjusting antenna directivity to maintain reliable wireless communication during takeoff and landing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If handover processing is performed to switch to an optimum base station during taking off or landing, then base station selection is improved, but communication interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting the future base station to which the flying object will move before handover is needed. The prediction result is stored in advance, and when the flying object approaches the predicted cell, handover is executed proactively rather than reactively. This preliminary preparation prevents communication interruptions during handover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the handover execution timing based on the flying object's movement state. When vertical movement (taking off or landing) is detected, the system determines whether to execute handover based on predicted future positions rather than following fixed handover protocols. This dynamic approach adapts the handover process to the specific movement conditions, preventing unnecessary interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cell selection is used for horizontal movement, then base station switching is optimized, but it is not suitable for vertical movement within one cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement type adaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication quality during vertical movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines the movement type (horizontal or vertical) based on the flying object's trajectory and adjusts the cell selection strategy accordingly. For vertical movement within a cell, the system uses prediction-based selection that considers altitude changes, whereas horizontal movement uses conventional cell selection. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable communication for both movement types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the cell selection parameters based on movement type. For vertical movement, it uses prediction results that consider future positions at different altitudes, while for horizontal movement, it uses conventional cell selection parameters. This parameter adjustment makes the system adaptable to different movement scenarios while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If radio environment is not considered during downward movement, then communication simplicity is maintained, but radio interference from above changes the environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidradio environment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary prediction of the flying object's future position and the corresponding radio environment before communication issues arise. By storing prediction results in advance and using them for base station selection, the system proactively compensates for radio environment changes caused by objects above, without adding complex real-time monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250024355A1Communication control system and communication control method
Publication Date: 2025.01.16 HITACHI LTD
  • US20250024355A1 patent drawing
  • US20250024355A1 patent drawing
  • US20250024355A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A communication control system for controlling communication with a flying object that is taking off or landing, includes a control system including a computation device that executes a prescribed process, and a storage device that is connected to the computation device, and a flying object that communicates with the control system via a base station. The control system stores a radio map indicating a radio quality of each position and each flight altitude of the flying object and each base station. With reference to the radio maps of a plurality of altitudes, a base station that has a favorable radio quality is selected on a taking-off and landing route in a taking-off and landing port.